NFC playoffs: 49ers vs. Packers game review

Offense

He runs, he throws, he scores! The only thing Colin Kaepernick didn’t do was talk very much in his postgame news conference. With his running (181 yards) and throwing (263), Kaepernick was involved in 444 of the 49ers‘ 579 yards, a franchise playoff record, and four of the six touchdowns. Michael Crabtree (9 catches, 119 yards) starred after his disappearing act in last year’s playoffs. Fresh-legged Frank Gore (119 yards) clearly benefited from a week off and tight end Vernon Davis briefly reappeared with a key 44-yard catch in the third quarter. The offensive line allowed one sack and helped pave the way for 323 rushing yards, some of which Kaepernick earned on his own.

Defense

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers made several oh-wow throws, but never established a rhythm. Until a garbage-time drive, he had 194 passing yards, a 78.8 rating and had led Green Bay’s offense to 17 points. Linebacker Patrick Willis shared team-high honors with seven tackles and had San Francisco’s only sack. Safety Dashon Goldson (7 tackles) was flagged for a helmet-to-helmet shot, but set the physical tone with several crushing hits. Slot cornerback Carlos Rogers had a hand in limiting Green Bay’s dynamic Randall Cobb (23 yards).

Special Teams

Gunner C.J. Spillman was ready to pounce when Jeremy Ross muffed a punt in the second quarter, a recovery which led to a 9-yard touchdown drive. Later, Spillman did it again when he dropped Cobb for no gain. Struggling David Akers converted his only field-goal attempt, a 36-yarder just before halftime, and had three touchbacks on seven kickoffs. Andy Lee dropped two of his three punts inside Green Bay’s 20, and the Packers’ average starting field position was their own 18-yard line.

Coaching

In their wild-card win, the Packers had trouble keeping up with speedy Joe Webb, a deficiency that mattered little because the Vikings’ quarterback couldn’t throw. The 49ers noted the defensive flaw and tailored a game plan that featured Kaepernick’s legs. The rest, as they say, is NFL history.

OVERALL

The 49ers got their mojo back. They were up by 21 points late in the fourth quarter against a team with a legendary quarterback that entered with 10 wins in its past 12 games. The discussion over whether Jim Harbaugh made the correct quarterback decision in late November is now officially over.